Film reel



E. J. JOFFE Sept. 24, 1963 ed May 19, 1960 States atent Patented Sept.24, 1963 3,104,848 FILM REEL Edward J. Joife, Summit, NJ, assignor toPark Plastics Co, Linden, NJL, a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 19,1960, Ser. No. 30,144 13 Claims. (Cl. 242-71.?

This invention relates to a reel for the winding of tape, film and thelike. Those skilled in the art are fully aware of the fact that manyattempts have been made to develop a reel that will retain the tape orfilm that is wound thereon without requiring added fastening means suchas a rubber band or the like. As fair as I am aware, no successful reelhas as yet been developed for the simple reason that the tape or filmretaining means heretofore conceived generally present resistance to theeasy winding of the film on the reel, as well as the unwinding of thefilm from the reel.

Thus, it has been suggested heretofore that a yielding rim be formed onone or both of the flanges of a reel. The winding of the film on thereel is adapted to flex the retaining rims to one side so that the filmmay be wound as required. Thereafter, the rims will retain the filmagainst unwinding. As it happens, however, the resistance to themovement of the past the rims is quite considerable, so that unless thefilm is wound in a particular predetermined line and with predeterminedforce, it will not enter into position between the flanges of the reel.

I believe that I have conceived an entirely novel contribution to theart in that I provide a reel in which the flanges are automaticallyspread for the entry of the film when the reel is applied to a shaft forrotation to wind or unwind film. When not spread, the flanges cooperateto hold the film against unwinding through use of a on one flange, thatrim overlying the space between the flanges.

As a feature of my invention I utilize a reel having means that yieldwhen the reel is applied to a shaft, the yielding of the means flexingthe flanges of the reel relatively to one another to widen the spacetherebetwee-n. More particularly, I form the reel with a bearing focoaction with a shaft or the like, the bearing being so formed as toyield or flex when applied to a shaft, and thereby to separate theflanges at the rims thereof.

Even more particularly, I utilize a molded plastic reel having a seriesof protuberances or cams that together preferably form a bearing. Thecams are so shaped that application to a shaft eflects the spreading orflexing thereof, and the consequent flexing of the two flanges to permiteasy entry or removal of a tape, film or the like. Naturally, the camscould be additional to a usual hub or bearing, but I do prefer thestructure herein shown and described.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of myinvention in order that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features ofmy invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based mayreadily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures forcarrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of myinvention, in order to prevent the appropriation of my invention bythose skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the reel of my invention while FIGURE 2is a rear elevation thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1 showing thefilm in place and wound on the reel;

FIGURE 4 shows the reel applied to a shaft, the shaft acting through thebearing means of the reel to spread the flanges;

FIGURE 5 is a section along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective exploded view showing the two parts of thereel prior to their assembly.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the reel of myinvention comprises a part designated by reference numeral 10, and asecond part 11. The two parts are of molded plastic adapted to beassembled by the entry of the short pins 12 of the part 10 into thethree holes 13 formed in lugs formed at the end of hub 14 of the part11. It will be noted that there are several of these lugs, but thatholes 13 are formed in only three of the lugs. Thereafter, the two parts10 and 11 are adhered to one another by a suitable adhesive, to form, ineffect, a single integral reel equipped with hub 14 on which a film Fmay be wound. This film will be guided by the flange 15 of the part 10and flange 16 of part II. Flange 15 is equipped with an inwardly turnedperipheral rim 17 which functions, as is probably best seen in FIGURE 3,to retain the film F against unwinding. This is accomplished byrestricting the opening at the peripheries of the two flanges 15, 16.

Part 10 of the reel is also formed with a series of rib shapedprotuberances or cams, each designated by reference numeral 20, and eachhaving a tapered bearing surface 21. The several ribs or protuberances20 form, in effect, a bearing whereby the reel may be mounted on a shaftS or the like, one form of shaftlbeing shown diagrammatically in FIGURE4. It is well to note further that each of the ribs or cams 20 extendingfrom the part It) lies in a notch 22 formed on part II, there being onenotch for each part 20. It will also be further noted that each of theprotuberances or cams 20 extends outwardly from a spoke 30 forming aportion of the flange 15 of the part 10, there being the same number ofspokes 30 "as cams or ribs 20. Further, it will also be well to notethat the spokes 30 are not adhered to the part 11, there being a seriesof spaces formed on the end sunface of hub 14 of part ll'from which leadthe notches 22. These spaces, which are between the lugs on hub 14 insome of which are formed holes 13 for pins 12, are of suflicient widthto permit the spokes 30 to be completely unadhered to the part 11 at hub14 so as to flex relatively thereto.

When a reel on which has been wound a film, as shown in FIGURE 3, isapplied to a shaft S, as shown in FIG- URE 4, the tapered surfaces 21 ofthe ribs :or protuberances 20 will yield or flex, as is well illustratedin FIG URE 4, with the surfaces 21 aligning themselves with theperiphery of the shaft S. Since each rib or protuberance 20 is integralwith a spoke 30, the ribs and spokes will flex outwardly together,flexing the flange 15 and moving the retaining rim 17 from the positionof FIGURE 3 to the position of FIGURE 4. Obviously, it will now bepossible to unwind the film F from the reel without any resistance fromthe retaining rim 17. Similarly, it will be easy to wind the filmwithout resistance from the retaining rim 17. Obviously also, removal ofthe reel from the shaft S, will restore the parts to the position ofFIG- URE 3 with the retaining rim 17 then holding the film F againstunwinding.

I do believe that the scope of the contribution I have made to the artwill now be clearly understood.

I now claim:

1. In a reel of the class described, a pair of opposed flanges, acentral bearing portion integral with said flanges and having bearingmeans formed with an opening whereby to be mounted on a shaft, the outerperipheral portion of at least one of said flanges having a retainingsurface normally constricting the span between the flanges to retainfilm or the like from unwinding from said reel, said bearing portion andbearing means being so secured relatively to said flanges and beingformed so that the pressure between said bearing means and a shaftlarger than the said opening acts through said bearing means to flexsaid flanges in a manner separating the circumferential peripheriesthereof relatively to one another when said reel is applied to a shaftlarger than said opening whereby to enlarge the span at said retainingsurface to facilitate winding and unwinding a film or the likerelatively to said reel.

2. In a reel of the class described, a pair of opposed flanges, acentral hub defining a central opening, with film or the like to bewound on said hub and between the flanges, the outer peripheral edge ofat least one of the flanges having a retaining rim constricting the spanbetween the flanges to retain film or the like against unwinding fromsaid hub, means secured relatively to said flanges and extending intosaid central opening to engage a shaft for mounting said reel on saidshaft for winding and unwinding, and said means being formed formovement by said shaft for flexing the flanges to enlarge the span atsaid retaining rim to facilitate winding and unwinding of a film or thelike.

3. In a reel of the class described, -a pair of opposed flanges, acentral hub defining a central opening, with film or the like to bewound on said hub and between the flanges, the outer peripheral portionof at least one of said flanges having a retaining surface normallyconstricting the span between the flanges to retain film or the likefrom unwinding from said reel, and means secured relatively to saidflanges, and extending into said central opening to engage a shaft whensaid hub is inserted over said shaft for winding and unwinding, saidmeans being so secured relatively to said flanges as to flex the flangesto enlarge the span at said retaining surface whereby to facilitatewinding and unwinding of a film or the like.

4. In a reel of the class described, a pair of opposed flanges, acentral hub on which a film or the like may be wound between theflanges, the outer peripheral edge of at least one of the flanges havinga retaining rim constricting the span between the flanges to retain thefilm or the like against unwinding, a series. of protuberances extendinginto a central opening of said hub and defining a bearing through whichsaid reel may be mounted on a shaft, said protuberances yielding whensaid reel is moved onto a shaft larger than said bearing, and saidprotuberances being so secured relatively to at least one of saidflanges that said yielding thereof flexes the rims of said flanges apartto enlarge the space at said retaining rim to permit free winding andunwinding of a film or the like.

5. In a reel of the class described, a pair of opposed flangenon-rigidly secured relatively to one another to define a spacetherebetween within which a fihn is to be Wound, together with a hub onwhich the film is to be Wound, the non-rigid securing of said flangesrelatively to one another being such as to allow flexing of said flangesrelatively to one another, the outer peripheral portion of at least oneof said flanges having a retaining surface normally constricting thespan between the flanges to retain film or the like from unwinding fromsaid reel, means secured to at least one of said flanges for engaging ashaft to which said reel is applied for winding and unwinding a filmrelatively to said reel, said means defining an opening smallerdiametrically than said shaft whereby said means are moved by said shaftwhen applied to a shaft and through said movement flexing said opposedflanges relatively to one another in a manner to enlarge the span atsaid retaining surface to facilitate winding and unwinding of a film.

6. In a reel of the class described, a pair of flanges secured to oneanother to form an integral reel, the outer peripheral portion of atleast one of said flanges having a retaining surface normallyconstricting the span between the flanges to retain film or the likefrom unwinding from said reel, a series of protuberances extending fromat least one of said flanges and substantially rigid relatively to saidflange, said protuberances forming a bearing opening to mount said reelon a shaft for thewindin-g and unwinding of a film between said flanges,said opening defined by said pnotu-berances being smaller than saidshaft whereby said protuberances spread outwardly of sad shaft as theyengage the shaft and thereby flex said flanges relatively to one anotherto enlarge the span at said retaining surface to facilitate winding andunwinding a film or the like to said reel.

7. In a reel of the class described, a pair of opposed flanges, acentral hub secured between said flanges and defining a central opening,with film or the like to be wound on said hub and between the flanges,said flanges being so secured as to permit flexing of said flangesrelatively to one another, said flanges being formed so that the outerperipheral edges thereof normally define a span between the flanges forretaining film or the like against unwinding fnorn said hub, meanssecured relativeiy to said flanges and extending into said centralopening to engage a shaft for mounting said reel on said shaft forwinding and unwinding film on said reel, and said means being formed forforceful movement by said shaft when applied to said shaft whereby toflex the flanges relatively to one another through said forcefulmovement so as to enlarge the span at said peripheral edges tofacilitate winding and unwinding of a film or the like.

8. A reel of the class described comprising a pair of opposed flanges, acentral hub between said flanges defining a central opening, with filmor the like to be wound on said hub and between the flanges, the saidflanges being formed so that the outer peripheral edges thereof define aspan between the flanges for retaining film or the like againstunwinding from said hub, means secured to at least one of said flangesand extending into said central opening to engage a shaft for mountingsaid reel on said shaft for winding and unwinding, and said means beingspaced radially of said shaft so that contact with said shaft effectsspreading movement of said means by said shaft for flexing the flangesrelatively to one another to enlarge the span at said peripheral edgesto facilitate winding and unwinding of a film or the like.

9. A reel of the class described comprising a pair of opposed flange-sand a central hub with film or the like to be wound on said hub andbetween the flanges, the outer peripheral edges of said flanges beingformed whereby to define a span between the flanges for retaining filmor the like against unwinding from said hub, means secured relatively tosaid flanges to engage a shaft for mounting said reel on said shaft forwinding and unwinding, and portions of said means spaced radially ofsaid shaft so that contact with said shaft effects spreading movement ofsaid means by said shaft for flexing the flanges relatively to oneanother to enlarge the span at said peripheral edges to facilitatewinding and unwinding of a film or the like.

10. In a reel of the class described, a pair of flanges secured to oneanother to form an integral reel, a series of protuberances extendingfrom at least one of said flanges and substantially rigid relatively tosaid flange, said protuberances forming an opening to apply said reeltov a shaft for the winding and unwinding of a film between saidflanges, said opening defined by said protuberances being smaller thansaid shaft at a point offset to the plane of said one of said flangeswith which said protuberances are substantially rigid, whereby thespreading of said protuberances by said shaft effects the flexing ofsaid flanges relatively to one another by said spreading protuberancesfor separating the circumferential peripheries thereof.

11. In a reel of the class described, a pair of flanges secured to oneanother to form an integral reel, at least one of said flanges having afilm retaining rim, a series of protuberances extending from at leastone of said flanges and substantially rigid relatively to said flange,said protuberances forming an opening to apply said reel to a shaft forthe winding and unwinding of a film between said flanges, said openingdefined by said protnbera-nces being smaller than said shaft at a pointoffset to the plane of said one of said flanges with which saidprotuberances are substantially rigid, whereby the spreading of saidprotuberances by said shaft effects the flexing of said flangesrelatively to one another by said spreading protuberances to enlarge thespan at said retaining rim.

12. In a reel of the class described, a pair of flanges secured to oneanother to form an integral reel, said flanges being formed so that theperipheral edges thereof define a span between the flanges for retainingfilm against unwinding from the space between said flanges, a series ofpromberances extending from at least one of said flanges andsubstantially rigid relatively to said flange, said protuberancesforming an opening to apply said reel to a shaft for the winding andunwinding of a film between said flanges, said opening defined -'by saidprotuberances being smaller than said shaft at a point offset to theplane of said one of said flanges with which said protuberances aresubstantially rigid, whereby the spreading of said protuberances by saidshaft effects the flexing of said flanges relatively to one another bysaid spreading protuberances to enlarge the span at said peripheraledges.

13. In a reel of the class described, a pair of opposed flanges definingtherebetween a space for the winding and unwinding of film, the outerperipheries of said flanges being formed to define rtherebetween a spanadapted normally to retain film or the like from unwinding fromsaid-reel, a series of protuberances integral with at least one of saidflanges and extending from at least said one flange to form a centralbearing opening for engaging a shaft, said protuberances beingdimensioned for outer flexing to enlarge said bearing opening when theprotuberances are applied to a shaft greater in size than said centralbearing opening of said protuberances, the outer flexing of saidprotuberances by said shaft flexing also one of said flanges relativelyto the other of said flanges, whereby to enlarge the span between thesaid flanges at the peripheries thereof to permit free winding andunwinding of a film or the like relatively to said reel.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,941,522 Wittel Jan. 2, 1934 2,084,165 Schulz June 15, 1937 2,151,536Sperry Mar. 21, 1939 2,529,501 Johnston Nov. 14, 1950 2,973,159 KulkaFeb. 28, 1961 2,974,892 Geloso Mar. 14, 1961

3. IN A REEL OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A PAIR OF OPPOSED FLANGES, ACENTRAL HUB DEFINING A CENTRAL OPENING, WITH FILM OR THE LIKE TO BEWOUND ON SAID HUB AND BETWEEN THE FLANGES, THE OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTIONOF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FLANGES HAVING A RETAINING SURFACE NORMALLYCONSTRICTING THE SPAN BETWEEN THE FLANGES TO RETAIN FILM OR THE LIKEFROM UNWINDING FROM SAID REEL, AND MEANS SECURED RELATIVELY TO SAIDFLANGES, AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CENTRAL OPENING TO ENGAGE A SHAFT WHENSAID HUB IS INSERTED OVER SAID SHAFT FOR WINDING AND UNWINDING, SAIDMEANS BEING SO SECURED RELATIVELY TO SAID FLANGES AS TO FLEX THE FLANGESTO ENLARGE THE SPAN AT SAID RETAINING SURFACE WHEREBY TO FACILITATEWINDING AND UNWINDING OF A FILM OR THE LIKE.